How to Become a Patient Care Technician in Iowa (2026)
Iowa employs about 22,670 patient care technicians earning a median $39,350 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025; proxy category “Nursing Assistants”). Training as a Patient Care Technician here means completing CNA or PCT training plus CPCT; many PCT roles also require a nurse-aide listing.
Compare Patient Care Technician Schools in Iowa
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southwest Wisconsin Technical College | 65.2 | $4,904 in-state / $7,147 out-of-state | $50,757 | 66% | Yes* | 139 mi |
| 2 | South Central College | 60.0 | $6,146 | $52,003 | 39% | Yes* | 128 mi |
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| 3 | Riverland Community College | 59.3 | $6,298 | $49,768 | 52% | Yes* | 88 mi |
| 4 | Western Iowa Tech Community College | 57.6 | $5,186 in-state / $5,330 out-of-state | $47,713 | 50% | Yes* | 157 mi |
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| 5 | Southwestern Community College | 57.2 | $8,064 in-state / $8,316 out-of-state | $51,650 | 59% | Yes* | 109 mi |
| 6 | North Iowa Area Community College | 57.1 | $6,653 in-state / $9,551 out-of-state | $47,068 | 61% | Yes* | 52 mi |
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| 7 | Western Technical College | 56.2 | $4,820 in-state / $7,078 out-of-state | $53,114 | 34% | Yes* | 141 mi |
| 8 | Iowa Central Community College | 54.0 | $5,496 in-state / $7,788 out-of-state | $46,682 | 42% | Yes* | 48 mi |
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| 9 | Rochester Community and Technical College | 50.7 | $6,389 | $55,258 | 29% | Yes* | 119 mi |
| 10 | Southeastern Community College | 50.1 | $6,420 in-state / $6,570 out-of-state | $48,941 | 43% | Yes* | 155 mi |
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Iowa employs approximately 22,670 workers in the related “Nursing Assistants” category (SOC 31-1131), with a median annual wage of $39,350 1. The state’s concentration of jobs in this category is 1.56x the national average, indicating strong regional demand. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 204,100 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Patient Care Technician in Iowa, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
A note on salary data: The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track patient care technician salaries as a separate category. The wage figures on this page are based on the closest matching BLS classification: Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131). Actual patient care technician earnings may vary.
At a Glance
- Training paths: PCT or CNA training (find programs)
- Typical timeline: CNA or PCT training plus CPCT; many PCT roles also require a nurse-aide listing
- Exam: CPCT and/or state CNA exam
- Median wage (Iowa): $39,350 per year (based on related “Nursing Assistants” category) 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Patient Care Technician in Iowa
How to become a Patient Care Technician in Iowa? Complete CNA or PCT training plus CPCT; many PCT roles also require a nurse-aide listing. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.
How long does it take? Most people finish CNA or PCT training plus CPCT; many PCT roles also require a nurse-aide listing. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.
Do I need a license in Iowa? Most states do not require a statewide occupational license. Employers typically expect CPCT and/or state CNA exam. See the licensing section below.
What do patient care technicians earn in Iowa? The BLS does not track patient care technician wages separately. Based on the related “Nursing Assistants” category, the median annual wage in Iowa is $39,350, with entry-level wages around $35,620 and experienced workers earning $47,980 or more 1.
How to Become a Patient Care Technician in Iowa
- Complete CNA or PCT training. Many PCT jobs require a CNA listing plus extra modules (phlebotomy, EKG). This is not a registered apprenticeship.
- Earn CPCT if the employer requires it. Pass CPCT and keep any required nurse-aide registry listing current.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Patient Care Technician License Requirements in Iowa
Patient care technicians often need a CNA listing plus CPCT. Confirm Iowa nurse-aide rules rather than inventing a separate PCT license.
Typical path
Complete CNA or PCT training.
Earn CPCT if required.
Keep nurse-aide listing current if the state uses one.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Patient Care Technician Wages by Metro Area in Iowa
Patient Care Technician Wages by Metro Area in Iowa
Note: The BLS does not track patient care technician wages separately. The data below is based on the closest matching category: Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131).
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), nursing assistants wages in Iowa vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 7,740 | $40,020 | $43,020 | $37,750 | $49,760 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | 4,660 | $43,940 | $42,640 | $35,420 | $50,630 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 2,220 | $38,740 | $40,780 | $36,100 | $46,810 |
| Cedar Rapids | 1,740 | $39,110 | $41,100 | $35,350 | $49,810 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | 1,440 | $38,930 | $40,660 | $35,790 | $46,560 |
| Iowa City | 1,310 | $39,330 | $41,730 | $35,060 | $50,630 |
| Dubuque | 1,010 | $41,580 | $41,790 | $36,850 | $50,430 |
| Sioux City | 930 | $38,940 | $41,360 | $36,410 | $48,090 |
| Ames | 770 | $43,540 | $42,980 | $37,010 | $48,920 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for patient care technicians in Iowa? Iowa employs approximately 22,670 workers in the related “Nursing Assistants” category 1. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 2.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Iowa? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Iowa.
How much do patient care technicians earn in Iowa compared to the national average? The median annual wage for patient care technicians in Iowa is $39,350 (based on the related “Nursing Assistants” category), which is $180 below the national median of $39,530 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |